Priest indicted for felony soliciting

3 years ago

(Cleveland) - A local priest has now been formally charged with felony soliciting, abusing harmful intoxicants and public indecency.

68-year-old Father James McGonegal was arrested October 11 at Edgewater Park after an off-duty park ranger says the priest offered him $50 for sex. The indicment was released Friday afternoon.

McGonegal was a priest from St. Ignatius of Antioch and told police during his arrest that he's HIV positive.

The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland says that McGonegal has since "stepped away from his duties" at St. Ignatius of Antioch parish to "attend to his personal matters." McGonegal has been a priest since 1971.

Police report that three sexual objects were discovered in his car, along with a bottle of intoxicant.